The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-12-07
THE FIDELITY BUSINESS.
INTEREST IN e. L. HARPERS TRIAL
CONTINUES UNDATED.
The COURTROOM Crowded from Day to
Day with Spectators Anxious to Look
Upon the Handsome Prisoners Cheer
full Face.

CINCINNATI, O., Dec. 6. Although the
main facts in the great Fidelity bank fail
ure, caused by the. famous, but disastrous,
wheat deal, with T.. l.. Harper as general
manager, have been before the public for
six months, yet the interest in the matter
remains as vivid as ever. Today, for in
stance, when the whole day was devoted
to dreary, but damaging business records
OF the eccentricities OF IIarpers checks and
drafts and certificates of deposit, with not
gleam OF dramatic coloring, the court
room was kept continually full. A large
space is divided by railing from the pub
lies domain, into which the parties, their
counsel, members Of the bar, the press and
distinguished visitors are admitted. Among
the last named are included ladies. This
space was today kept fully occupied
by continually changing assembly.
The farther end of the room is
open to the public, but no disorder is per-
mitted. Almost u constant procession of
men passes in and out, us curiosity leads
them in and disappointment drives them
out but they all move noiselessly, under
the constant watchfulness of two or three
deputy marshals. But all are not dsap-
pointed. They get to see Harper, the
central figure OF the scene, with that in
expiainable courage and cheeriulness
which has never yet deserted him. lie is
the most interested man in the courtroom,
but he betrays no worry nor annoyance.
Ills black hair and fine features distinguish
him, in flattering contrast with his portly
| LII
Blackburn and Wilson. Mn. Harper is
also seen 10y these curiosity hunters. Her
gentle face shows no sign of WEAKNESS as
she sits there throughout the long, dull
hours Of the whole days session, giving
what support her presence may be 10 her
husband. They also see her sister, Miss
Matthews, n beautiful girl with tell.tale
face, hiding with difficulty her emotions.
Beyond the sightseeing there was little
Of interest today. The testimony almost
all related to llarper's method Of doing
business.
Ebert +. Gay, individual bookkeeper of
the Merchants National bank testified TO
numerous oyerdraits ON their bank by j.
w. Wiltshire q Co. Tho same story was
told by other witnesses about Swift's iron
and steel works. llinch, the receiving
teller Of the Fidelity, told Of Harper taking
up checks OF Wiltshire, Eckert d Co.,
March IL, when the bank examiner was
thore, by giving his own check to the
amount Of over 10000 lie was shown
three drafts on the Western National OF
New York for $4,000, 100000 and $50,
900. There was no entry made Of these
in the Westerns account, vet the
drafts were paid, making it appear
that the Western had some OF
the Fidelity's money. The cross-exami-
nation OF this witness showed the most
persistent effort OF the defense yet made
to bolster up ease. lie was asked il
there were not entries showing that inter.
est had been paid on checks carried as
cash items. lie found one instance whcr,
Wiltshire q Go. had paid Sis interest, but
no more appeared. There were few in.
terest charges in the account OF Swift.
iron and steel works.
Mr.. Adam Wagner. assignee OF Swift.
iron and steel works, testified that IA,
found assets worth slOO, 600, and liabilitic.
amounting to - 100000.
j. II. Waters, bookkccpcr. testified tina
certificates Of deposit were issued out o
consecutive orler ~ 81 dates aud numbers
Adjourned till tomorrow.